Patriots HOF Wide Receiver Shows Love To Forgotten Third-Rounder

Patriots HOF Wide Receiver Shows Love To Forgotten Third-Rounder originally appeared on NESN.
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The New England Patriots have seven capable wide receivers to fill five, at most six, open roster slots. 

With the way the NFL is trending toward two tight end sets, teams are now carrying more tight ends than ever. The Los Angeles Rams had as many as five suit up in a game last year. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has been very open about wanting to be a heavier offense in 2026.

If an extra roster spot is given to the tight end room, it has to come from somewhere. 

I say that to say this: there will be a position battle this summer resulting in at least one of your favorite wide receivers being left off of the 53-man roster. 

It is quite possible that that one receiver could be 2025 third-round draft pick, Kyle Williams. As excited as many fans are about Williams, he only caught ten balls his rookie season. No player on New England’s roster — not even one tight end or running back — had a lower reception rate when targeted. 

Patriots Hall of Fame receiver Troy Brown told ESPN’s Mike Reiss that he is still holding out on Williams’s traits.

“Speedster. He can run by anyone and in a thick room, that’s a good asset to have. And he can track the ball down the field. He put that on film last year – ‘when I’m in the game, you have to protect the deep part of the field,'” Brown said.

“But if he wants to be on the field more, he has to be able to run intermediate routes and create separation that way on a consistent basis.”

Williams’s spot on the final roster may come down to whether or not wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is traded. If he is moved, Williams should have no problem landing that fifth spot in the room with all he brings on special teams. If he is not, New England will have a tough decision to make. 

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